Combined ruler and letter-scale.



Patented Nov. 26', 1912.

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R.'H. MILLWARD. GOMBINEID RULER 'AND LETTER SCALE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 6, 1911.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEIoE. v

RUSSELL HASTINGSMILLWARD, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

COMBINED RULER AND LETTER-SCALE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RUSSELL HASTINGS MILLWARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at \Vashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Combined Rulers and Letter- Scales, of'which the, following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in weighing scales, but contemplates more particularly a combined desk-ruler and letter scale; the object sought to be accomplished is to so combine these two useful articles in one as to produce a simple, cheap and useful device.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of parts as will be more fully hereinafter described, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a partof this specification and wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, in which;

Figure 1 is a top plan view, Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view on line 22 thereof, Fig. 8 is an enlarged end view in elevation, Fig. 1 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on line 14t of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a top plan view, of one end of the invent-ion showing part-s extended, Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the weight, and Fig. 7 is a vertical section of a fragment of the ruler showing enlarged details.

Reference numeral 1 designates the ruler which is provided in its upper face at one side of its longitudinal center with recesses 2 in which are arranged article supports 3, which may be swung upwardly or outwardly .into position to support the letter or package to be weighed, notches 1 being provided for enabling the supports to be engaged by the fingers. The ruler is provided in its under face with recess 5, into and out of which the fulcrum 6 may be swung in the mannerof the supports 3. The lower corners of the fulcrum are cut away to provide a knife-edge to assist in attaining a perfect balance. The supports 3 and fulcrum 6 preferably comprise metal plates having hinge-barrels 9 through which pass pintles 10, the latter also passing transversely through the ruler body. When the supports 3 and fulcrum 6 are folded into their re spective recesses 2 and 5, no projections are offered on the faces of the ruler and the ruler may be employed as any other ruler,

Specification of Letters Patent. if

Application filed May 6, 1911.

Patented Nov. 26, 1912.

Serial No. 625,601.

that end of the ruler into two parts let and 15. The inner walls of the parts 14 and 15 are provided with V-shaped grooves in which slide the V-shaped slide-bars 16 and 17 respectively of a metallic extension memher, said side bars being connected at their inner ends by cross bars 18. Within said V-shaped side bars 16 and 17 slide or telescope similar side bars 19 and 20 respectively of the second extension member, said side bars being connected together at both ends by inner and outer cross bars 21 and 22 respectively. Vithinthis second extension member slides a weight 24 having finger recess 25 and beveled sides 26.

For retaining the metallic extension members in their normal positions a fastening means is-provided, which consists of hook 27 pivoted by pivot pin 28 on the end of the part 15, said hook being adapted to swing on said pivot pin transverse with the move ment of the said extension members, to engage pin 29, the latter being located on the end of the part 14:. I

A plurality of scales or indicating marks are provided upon the upper faces of the parts 14 and 15 adjacent the said sliding extension members and the upper faces of the extension members, the first indicating mark or scale being in alinement with the edge 30 of the weight 24, when the latter, together with the extension members are in their normal positions. For securing the supports 3 and fulcrum 6 in their normal or working positions, springs 31 are provided (Fig. 7) preferably in the form of. flat pieces of spring steel. These springs are secured by means of screws 32 in embedded positions adjacent the hinge-barrels 9, which latter are provided with flat portions 9, 9", which cooperate with the said springs, the pressure of the springs upon the fiat portions securely retaining the supports and fulcrum in the desired position.

The operation of the device for use as a postal scale is as follows. The fulcrum 6 being in its outward or working position at right angles to the lower face of the ruler, the supports swung upwardly in position to receive the article to be weighed (Fig. and the weight and extension members being in their normal positions, the device will balance on its fulcrum 6. \Vhen articles to be weighed, which do not exceed in weight the balancing or measuring capacity of the weight 24, when the extension members are in their normal positions, are placed on the supports 3, the weight 2 t will be moved outwardly until the device is again at a balance, when by reference to the location of the weight with relation to the scale or indicating marks on the upper face of the parts it and 15, the weight of the article on the supports can be obtained. \Vhen weighing articles heavier than the maximum weight attainable by the use of the scale on the parts 1% and 15, the hook 27 will be swung back and either the inner, outer, or both the extension members can be withdrawn (Fig. 5) until sutlicient leverage is obtained to cause the weight 25 to counter-balance the weight of the article on the supports.

\Vhen the weight of the article on the supports is determined, by reference to the scales on the parts 1-1 and 15 or on the sides of the side bars 1G, 1T, 19, 20, the supports 3, fulcrum 6, and extension members can be returned to their normal positions, the hook 2 T being again returned to its locking position.

Having fully described the invention, what is claimed as new and useful and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A device of the character described, a ruler comprising a scale member, an extension scale member therefor, and a weight adjustable relatively to said scale member and extension member for indicating weights with respect to either.

2. A device of the character described, a scale member, having an open end slot at one end thereof, an extension scale member adjustable within said slot, a weight adjustable relatively to said extension scale member, and means temporarily closing the open end of said slot to confine the extension scale member therein.

3. A device of the character described, comprising a scale member having a slot with V-shaped walls, an extension scale member having V-shaped walls slidably engaging the similar walls of the slot; :1 weight having V-shaped walls slidably engaging the V-shaped walls of the extension member.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing wit nesses.

RUSSELL HASTINGS MILLWARD.

Vitnesses R. T. BASSE'I'I, R. G. LANGMODE.

Copies 01. this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

